Destinations

We set out to get under the skin of the 130 destinations that we visit, from Egypt to Jamaica and from Bolivia to Japan. Combining the must-sees with the who-knews, we provide authentic travel experiences across the globe.

Destinations

Africa

Discover the vast, diverse continent that is Africa. Navigate through aromatic medinas, drive across stretching golden plains in search of the Big Five and discover tribal cultures. We challenge you not to fall in love.

Asia

Asia offers a heady mix of diverse traditions, religions, cuisine and architecture. Iconic monuments from the Great Wall of China to the Taj Mahal, and scenery from Indonesian rice paddies to the staggering Himalaya, give a flavour of its variety.

Australasia

Australasia is a region of vibrant colour, staggering landscapes and contrasting cultures. Compact yet varied, New Zealand is all about the great outdoors. It's best explored on foot, where you'll cover lakes and mountains, coasts and glaciers.

Europe

From the windswept Atlantic coast to the vast taiga forests in the east, and from the polar tundra to the sun-kissed Mediterranean, Europe's variety is second to none. The diversity of its cuisine, culture and climate mirrors that of its landscape.

Middle East

The Middle East is a heady concoction of welcoming people, ancient sites, stunning desert scenery and delicious food. Uncover history that spans millenia in colossal archaeological sites and sleep under starlit skies in the Arabian desert.

North America

North America is home to dynamic cities, rich cultural diversity and inspiring National Parks. From the canyons and deserts of the USA to Canada's Rocky Mountains and Alaska's wildlife, North America's charms are hard to resist.

Central America

The thin strip of land connecting North and South America contains eight countries packed with fascinating Mayan history, colourful modern cultures and pristine beaches. Here the rainforests, cloud forests and barrier reef bustle with biodiversity.

Caribbean

Fields of sugar cane, rum distilleries, freshly-cooked fish and jerk chicken and a laid-back attitude to life - there's lots to love about Caribbean holidays. And that's without even mentioning the glittering azure waters and miles of sandy beaches.

South America

South America is a continent of superlatives. Explore the world's largest rainforest and marvel at its highest waterfall. Walk its longest mountain range and discover its highest capital city. All washed down with hearty food and world-class wines.

Experiences

Adventure doesn't have to take you out of your comfort zone; from activities like zip-wiring in Costa Rica, to tasting local dishes in Italy and staying with local families in Peru, there's a little adventure to be found on all our travels.

First solo trip with Explore? Top 7 questions answered

Looking to travel solo on one of our small group trips? Travelling solo with Explore doesn’t mean you’ll be alone - being part of a small group means you'll have other like-minded travellers to share those once-in-a-lifetime experiences with. Here we’ve answered seven of our most asked questions about travelling solo, so you can be confident in going on your own with Explore.

1. I’m not single but want to travel solo, is an Explore trip for me?

Absolutely! We know that solo travellers are not just single people. For any number of reasons you may choose to travel on your own. On an Explore trip you’ll be travelling with a group so you’ll have plenty of other people to keep you company, including an expert local leader.

2. Will a group tour cover all the things I’d see if I travelled on my own?

Yes, and we would argue that you’ll see even more than if you travelled alone! We will take you to all the must-see, bucket list places that you won’t want to miss. But for those once-in-a-lifetime experiences, we also aim for all our trips to include special moments that are not available to the usual tourist.

Swap the typical packed beaches in Jamaica for hikes in the jungle and lunch with a Rastafari community on our Explore Jamaica tour. Or follow a sunrise visit to the Taj Majal in India with a stay at an eco-lodge and look out for wildlife like hornbills and fruit bats on the Highlights of Northern India trip.

3. Will I have to pay a single supplement?

It’s completely up to you. A twin room is included in our trip price and we’ll pair you with another solo traveller of the same sex.

If you’d prefer not to share your room you can opt to pay a single room supplement, available on most of our tours. Check the trip page to find out if this is an option and, if so, how much it will cost.

4. What will the other people in the group be like?

Roughly half of our customers travel solo, so it’s likely there’ll be a few others in your group travelling on their own.

To find out more about your group, you can ask our expert consultants about the breakdown of who has booked so far. They can share the number of couples vs solo travellers, for example, and the age range of the group. For privacy reasons they won’t be able to give any more detail than this, but it should give you an idea of who you can expect to travel with.

5. How many people will be in my group?

Our average group size is just 12; big enough to meet like-minded travel lovers and make new friends but small enough to get under the skin of your destination. You'll be able to access smaller villages and historical sites, without it feeling crowded or overwhelming. It also means your Explore leader can get to know each of you and easily share their knowledge and advice, to give you the best experience possible and ensure the trip runs smoothly.

6. Will I still get time to myself?

Yes, but how much you get will depend on the pace of the trip you choose. Our ‘Relaxed’ trips have the most free time, allowing you to explore by yourself or with other members of your group. At the other end of the scale, our ‘Full On’ trips are packed with all the must-sees and must-dos of your destination so you don’t have to compromise, but there is less down time.

On the majority of our tours you’ll have the evenings free to do as you like. This doesn’t mean you have to be on your own though, if you don’t want to be. Your Explore leader will usually either organise a group dinner or recommend a place to eat. It’s completely up to you whether you choose to eat with others or would prefer a quiet dinner on your own or with just a couple of others from your group.

7. Will I be safe as a female travelling solo?

It’s our number one priority to ensure that all of our customers are safe on our trips. The benefit of travelling solo within a group is that you’re with other people and in particular a guide with local knowledge. Your Explore leader will be able to give you tips on the best way to stay safe in your free time.

Go SOLO & SAVE

This is our biggest ever solo offer! For a limited time, get your own room at no extra cost, saving up to £500 per trip. And with over 90 trips in the offer there's plenty of choice. You'll have to be quick though, rooms and departures are limited - when they're gone, they're gone!